Fireworks addicts are on a real high, especially those who were watching the flares over Addison at last night’s Kaboom Town! Real estate associates with properties in highrises must be positively giddy. Just imagine roughing it viewing the light show from highrises in air-conditioned comfort and a frig just a couple of feet away!
Tonight even those with skyscraper seats are going to to shift their view south. The Dr Pepper Snapple Group Fair Park Fourth is the grand finale for the 2011 Fourth of July weekend.
Before doing a breakdown of the evening’s events, here are a few friendly reminders:
- Admission is free.
- The City of Dallas charges $10 for parking within the gates of Fair Park. Parking will be available at Gates 2, 5, 6, 10 and 11. Handicap parking at Gate 5.
- If you’re a DART fan, take Green Line Rail to the Fair Park Station.
- Alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, fireworks and firearms are not permitted on Fair Park grounds. Concessions will be sold and guests are invited to bring their own picnics.
The Fair Park gates open at 4:30 with plenty to do. Many of the museums (the African American Museum, The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future, Dallas Historical Society/Hall of State, the new Texas Museum of Automotive History, Texas Discovery Gardens, Museum of Nature & Science and Museum of the American Railroad) will be open free for guests. The “dancing water’ shows at the Esplanade Fountain will look very cool, but remember to apply lots of sunscreen. Red faces are already popping up all over town from sun abuse.
Here’s the game plan for the patriotic music and fireworks:
- 7 p.m. — Seven-time Grammy nominated Stefani Little Band will perform in front of the Hall of State.
- 7:30 p.m. — Museums close down for the evening.
- 8:00 p.m. — The Grammy-nominated Dallas Wind Symphony will be led by guest conductor/University of North Texas’ Mean Green Brigade’s Nicholas Williams. No, they won’t be playing Bach, silly. You just know they’ll be performing the DWS’s “Red, White and Blue Concert,” featuring “America the Beautiful,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the “Washington Post March,” “A Salute to America’s Veterans” and other patriotic tunes.
- 8:45 p.m. — Gate D of the Cotton Bowl opens. Don’t go to another gate; only D will be open. Sorry, but strollers, coolers and pets are not permitted inside the Cotton Bowl.
- 9:30 p.m. — Fireworks show commences. Yes, you’ll probably be able to see them from all over Dallas, but organizers recommend sitting inside the Cotton Bowl. That’s why Gate D was open.
- 10 p.m. — Fireworks end and everyone heads home to get some sleep before heading back to work Tuesday.
Dr Pepper Snapple Group Fair Park Fourth is hosted by Friends of Fair Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Other sponsors are Gold Metal Recyclers, MetroPCS, Baylor Healthcare Systems, and Statewide Remodeling. Media partners are WFAA, Univision 23, Al Dia, The Greensheet, 98.7 KLUV, 90.9 KCBI, 97.9 The Beat, 94.5 K-Soul, 107.9 La Kalle and 1270 AM La Voz del Pueblo.
Stay safe and happy.